GERMANY SURRENDERS The End Of Hitler

Diary Entries Canadian citizen on imminent German surrender

summer of 1944 Germany faced certain defeat Hitler did not plan on surrendering German soldiers continued to defend homeland despite rising death toll

between 1944 and 1945 Hitler believed the invention of a “miracle weapon” would turn the war in his favour most German scientists fled to Allied countries to escape the Nazis

Invading Germany Feb. 1945 Germany was defenceless. Their enemies were in full control Hitler still refused to surrender The Allied forces had almost total command of the air Increasing evidence was discovered about Nazi Germany’s role in the Holocaust

Berlin Surrounded With the Soviet Union approaching from the east and the Allies approaching from the west, Berlin was surrounded. Hitler instructed a counterattack against the Russians to keep them from taking over Berlin. Attack wasn’t carried out because German army was depleted and the men fighting were weak/tired. Not enough manpower to fight, leaving Germany defenseless. The end for Germany was undeniable.

Hitler Commits Suicide Hitler was trapped in his bunker under the Reich Chancellery building in the center of Berlin Mussolini (Italian dictator) was captured, tortured and hung upside down in a gas station in Milan square, 2 days earlier Hitler choose death instead of capture On April 30th, 1945 after realizing imminent capture, Hitler shot himself.

Hitler's "Thousand-Year Reich" lasted 12 years and three months. BBC News Player - 1945: Adolf Hitler is dead

Successors In his will, Hitler made Karl Donitz his successor as: Head of State, President and Supreme Commander of the armed forces. Also named Propaganda Minister, Joseph Goebbelsas, Head of Government with the title of Chancellor.

May 1st , Goebbelsas committed suicide Donitz became soul representative of German Reich Donitz knew that Germany's position was untenable Donitz devoted most of his efforts to attempt to ensure German troops would surrender to the British or Americans and not the Soviets Feared vengeful Soviet reprisals against Nazi party members and high-ranking officers. Hoped to strike a deal with the western Allies

Surrender After Hitler’s suicide, German forces began to give in On May 7th, 1945 at 2:41 am in a small school house located in Rheims, France the final unconditional surrender was signed witnessed by Allies ( Britain, France, USA, & USSR) signed by Alfred Jodl on behalf of the German High Command.

Tuesday, May 8th 1945 was 'Victory in Europe' (VE) Day Winston Churchill: German surrender announcement May 7, 1945 - YouTube

Diary Entries Canadian response to German Surrender German Soldier response to German Surrender

Key Figures Hitler: German Dictator suicide led to German surrender Karl Donitz: Hitler’s successor appointed Head of State, President and Supreme Commander of the armed forces Joseph Goebbelsas: Hitler’s other successor appointed Head of Government, Chancellor of Germany (committed suicide the next day) Count Ludwig Schwerin von Krosigk: replaced Goebblsas Leading Minister (refused title of Chancellor) Alfred Jodl signed unconditional surrender on behalf of the German High Command

Importance of Event marked the formal end of Hitler's war 6 years of war in Europe were over end of destruction & food rationing in Europe half a million homes had been destroyed, and many millions of lives disrupted World War 2 was almost done

Works Cited Adams, Simon, and Simon Adams. Eyewitness World War II. London: DK Pub., 2007. Print. Gilbert, Martin. The Second World War: A Complete History. New York: H. Holt, 1989. Print. Grant, R. G. World War II: The Events and Their Impact on Real People. New York, NY: Dk Pub., 2008. Print. Kershaw, Ian. Hitler. New York: W.W. Norton, 1999. Print. Sheffield, Gary. "Victory in Europe Day." BBC News. BBC, 2011. Web. Apr. 2012. <http://www.bbc.co.uk>.